Diet and Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Certain foods are notorious for causing bad breath: coffee, alcohol, certain cheeses, and garlic (and its close relatives: onions, chives, leeks, and shallots). The odor originates not just in the mouth, but also in the lungs, explains Dr. William Replogle, Ph.D., a professor of family medicine. Problem foods often contain malodorous sulfur compounds, which enter the bloodstream during digestion, travel to the lungs, and get exhaled, causing bad breath.

The beef with meat. “Meat eaters are more likely to have halitosis than vegetarians,” Dr. Replogle says. Meats, especially pistrami, salami, and pepperoni contain sulfur and other compounds that get excreted through the lungs.

Drink up. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, Dr. Brauer advises. It keeps your mouth tissue hydrated, and free of odor-causing food residues. Or drink citrus juices. In addition to the benefits of water, they also stimulate saliva flow.

Naturopathy for Bad Breath

The digestion connection. Contrary to the mainstream medical view that bad breath originates in the mouth and, to a lesser extent, in the lungs, naturopath Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., president of Bastyr University, the naturopathic medical school near Seattle, contends that poor digestion also plays a role. His advice: A low-fat, high-fiber diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains.